Sullivan’s Island is probably the area’s most desired public beach communities because it’s not gated, it’s quiet, and it has its own little town feeling where you can drive your golf cart around once on the island. Mount Pleasant, the close suburbia town just on the other side of the Ben Sawyer bridge is close enough that the homeowners of Sullivan’s Island can get off the island for a night on the town, bite to eat at a nice restaurant, see a movie, or go shopping without any hassle. Prices for homes on Sullivan’s island start in the $450’s for a small virtually never available condo to well over $3 Million for beachfront homes on Sullivan’s Island. Don’t get too excited as there are only a few condos on the entire island. Once considered one of the most expensive per capita places to live in the U.S., Sullivan’s Island homes rarely come to market because the demand is so high, and thus property values remain high, and oceanfront homes usually only total a few at most on the market at any given time.

Isle of Palms SC, or I.O.P as the locals call it has been a favorite for vacationers since the island was developed in the 80’s. Home to the very well known and beloved Wild Dunes Resort, the Isle of Palms has a nice public beach with parking for most, 5 nice restaurants, hotels, shops, bars, and beach time fun. Just at the end of the aptly named Isle of Palms connector the island splits into two sides, and at the end of the left side is Wild Dunes, and on the right is more of the island with the bridge to Sullivan’s Island at the end. Oceanfront homes on Isle of Palms SC start over $1 Million as you can imagine and go up to over $3 Million. There are beachfront condos on Isle of Palms as well on the island however most of them exist inside the gates of the Wild Dunes resort. As one can guess beachfront homes in Wild Dunes cost more than those outside the resort.  

If you haven’t ever been to Kiawah Island I suggest you at least visit once in your life as it truly is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see. So it’s no wonder that there are many celebrities that own homes in the luxury gated resort community of Kiawah. Beachfront homes on Kiawah can start as high as $5 Million, and so can a lot without a home built. Just like you’d expect there are condos on such a palatial resort too, and luckily the beachfront condos on Kiawah are more affordable. There are pricey costs associated with buying homes on Kiawah Island that one must consider if you aren’t used to owning in a high-end luxury environment. With this being one of the United States most exclusive gated communities there are fees and dues that aren’t standard in a traditional neighborhood.

Considered to be the most fun, hip, and “party type” of the beach communities in Charleston, Folly Beach offers all the fun and excitement you could want. Located just at the end of Folly road down that runs through James Island, Folly Beach is what some call the “Myrtle Beach” of Charleston. Real estate is more affordable on Folly Beach than the other beach communities, and luckily that means so are the beachfront homes on Folly. There are many condos to choose from on Folly Beach and a few beachfront condos on Folly Beach that occasionally be offered below $500,000. Folly Beach is home to the “washout”, the place where local surfer congregate when the waves are favorable. There are a few nice restaurants on Folly, and a handful of “drinking holes” that locals love to frequent.

Seabrook Island is one of Charleston’s gated communities next to Kiawah Island with 2.5 miles of gorgeous beach, offering two amazing golf courses, tennis facilities, condos & villas, golf homes, and wildlife everywhere. Just at the end of John’s Island, Seabrook, unlike Kiawah, is a welcoming non-resort style development more similar to Wild Dunes. There are a good many regular full-time residents as well as visitors vacationing on the island throughout the year. However, Seabrook is much quieter than Wild Dunes resort, and less private luxury than Kiawah so real estate is more affordable. Beachfront homes on Seabrook Island are more affordable as compared to Kiawah and because of its location, there are also more deep waterfront homes on Seabrook Island.

Edisto Beach is located in Colleton County just between Beaufort and Charleston SC. Considered to be South Carolina’s only remaining “uncommercialized” beach settlements. With under 1000 full-time residents, Edisto Beach is a small coastal community that offers access to deep water rivers, Intracoastal rivers, and creek, as well as gorgeous beachfront living.